Gundam Encyclopedia: Unveiling the Legendary Mecha of The Witch From Mercury

Highlights

The Gundam series features advanced Mobile Suits that push the boundaries of engineering, with each Gundam having a unique origin story.

The Vanadis Institute created the XGF-02 Gundam Lfrith, a testament to pure intent and a predecessor to the renowned Gundam Aerial. The creation of other Gundam models, like the FP/A-77 Gundam Pharact and X-EX01 Gundam Calibarn, showcases diverse design principles and the potential risks accompanying their utilization.

In each major Gundam series, the Gundam stands as the pinnacle of advanced Mobile Suit technology in the universe. The capabilities of these machines push the boundaries of what is currently achievable. It goes without saying that the Gundam in Gundam: The Witch from Mercury is no exception.

The Gundam Aerial, along with every other Gundam featured in this series, unquestionably represents the epitome of human engineering. What sets the Gundam in this particular series apart is the individuality of their origins. Now, let's delve further into the unique stories behind each Gundam in The Witch from Mercury.

XGF-02 Gundam Lfrith

Beginning with the Gundam that initiated it all, the XGF-02 Gundam Lfrith was exclusively constructed by the original Vanadis Institute. While receiving funding and resources from the Ochs Earth Corporation, the Gundam Lfrith symbolizes the diligent efforts, aspirations, and ideologies of the Vanadis Institute researchers. It represents the forthcoming stage in human evolution and stands as the final Gundam created with such pure intentions.

Although the Gundam Lfrith only makes an appearance in the Prologue episode, its impact reverberates throughout the series. Following the events of the Prologue episode, the Gundam Lfrith undergoes further development, transforming into the renowned Gundam Aerial. Additionally, the prototype data for the Gundam Lfrith is utilized by various companies and organizations to fabricate similar versions, although they are deemed inferior. The most noteworthy examples include the EDM-GA-01 Gundam Lfrith Ur, operated by Sophie Pulone, and the EDM-GA-02 Gundam Lfrith Thorn, piloted by Norea du Norc.

XVX-016 Gundam Aerial

After the catastrophic event at the Vanadis Institute that claimed the lives of its researchers, the only ones who managed to survive were Elnora Samaya, her daughter Ericht Samaya, and Belmeria Winston. Elnora and Ericht narrowly escaped using the advanced Gundam Lfrith, while Belmeria coincidentally was absent from their headquarters at the time. Although the Gundam Lfrith sustained significant damage during the clash with government forces, Elnora successfully utilized it to find sanctuary on Planet Mercury.

During their time on Mercury, Elnora, in collaboration with the Shin Sei Development Corporation, dedicated themselves to enhancing the Gundam Lfrith. They invested decades into refining every aspect of the Gundam Lfrith, most notably by integrating Ericht Samaya's consciousness into the system, which granted an unprecedented level of control and accuracy over the Gund Bits. The final outcome was the most stable, versatile, safe, and powerful Gundam in the entire universe - a brand-new mobile suit known as the XVX-016 Gundam Aerial, under the skilled pilot, Suletta Mercury.

FP/A-77 Gundam Pharact

Gundam Aerial remains unchanged throughout the majority of the first season of the series. However, it sustains significant damage during its confrontation with Shaddiq Zanelli and his team. Consequently, Elnora, now known as Prospera, not only repaired Aerial but also upgraded it. The outcome is XVX-016RN Gundam Aerial Rebuild. The first glimpse of its enhanced performance is witnessed during the Plant Quetta incident.

In addition to Elnora, there is another individual who is actively engaged in researching and developing an advanced mobile suit known as the Gundam. Belmeria Winston, who also survived the incident at the Vanadis Institute, has been recruited by a prominent company called Peil Technologies. Through the collaboration between Belmeria and Peil Technologies, they have successfully built a brand new Gundam from scratch by utilizing the company's vast resources and Belmeria's expertise in the Gund Project. This cutting-edge mobile suit is named the FP/A-77 Gundam Pharact and is operated by Elan Ceres, who is an augmented human based on Elan Ceres.

X-EX01 Gundam Calibarn

Despite utilizing the same Permet system as Gundam Lfrith and Aerial, Gundam Pharact showcases a distinctively unique aesthetic among the Gundam series. In line with Peil Technologies' design principles, Gundam Pharact deviates from the traditional Gundam appearance with its slender waist and legs juxtaposed against a broader hip and shoulder structure. This design choice, reminiscent of Peil Technologies' renowned F/D-19 Zowort line, further emphasizes the distinctive characteristics of Gundam Pharact.

Simultaneously with the creation of the original Gundam Lfrith, the Vanadis Institute's parent company, Ochs Earth Corporation, undertook their own iteration of Gundam based on data acquired from Vanadis. In contrast to Vanadis's goal of utilizing Gundam Lfrith for human expansion in space, Ochs Earth solely aimed to fashion an advanced war machine. Rather than prioritizing pilot safety, as Vanadis had diligently done with Lfrith, Ochs Earth directed their efforts toward enhancing raw firepower. The outcome of this development endeavor materialized in the form of the X-EX01 Gundam Calibarn.

Ochs Earth Corporation successfully created the Gundam they desired, but it turns out that Gundam Calibarn is far more dangerous than they anticipated. The absence of safety features for the pilot leads to a haunting realization - every pilot who attempts to enter its cockpit will have their mind consumed. Numerous lives are lost in the struggle to control this formidable beast, prompting Ochs Earth to abandon the project.

Consequently, the Space Assembly League acquires Gundam Calibarn and secretly conceals it. Skipping ahead to the concluding episodes of the second season, we are finally witness to Gundam Calibarn in action, piloted by Suletta Mercury.

MDX-0003 Gundam Schwarzette

After the Plant Quetta incident, President Prospera of Shin Sei Development Corporation agreed to share the development data of Gundam Aerial. She also agreed to collaborate with Jeturk Heavy Machinery, a major company under the Benerit Group, to create a new Gundam. The outcome was the MDX-0003 Gundam Schwarzette, a Gundam specialized in close-quarter combat.

Similar to Gundam Pharact, Gundam Schwarzette shares a similar brain structure with other Gundams. However, its body design is heavily influenced by Jeturk Heavy Machinery's philosophy. This is why Gundam Schwarzette has bulkier legs, claw-like feet, and a distinctive halo on its head, which is a signature design element of Jeturk's mobile suits like the MD-0064 Darilbalde. Although Gundam Schwarzette is still undergoing active development, it made its debut in the last few episodes of season two, with Lauda Neil as its pilot.